Kingsblood Royal by Sinclair Lewis

Name: Kingsblood Royal
Author: Sinclair Lewis

Kingsblood Royal is a novel by Sinclair Lewis, published in 1947. It tells the story of Neil Kingsblood, a banker in the small town of Grand Republic, Minnesota. Neil is a descendant of a long line of prominent citizens, but he is unaware of his royal ancestry until he discovers a document that reveals he is a direct descendant of a French nobleman. Neil is shocked by the revelation and decides to investigate his family’s past. He discovers that his ancestors were part of a secret society of aristocrats who had been persecuted and driven out of France centuries ago. Neil also discovers that his family had been involved in the slave trade and had profited from it. Neil is torn between his newfound knowledge and his loyalty to his hometown. He is determined to use his newfound power to help the people of Grand Republic, but he is also aware of the potential danger of revealing his ancestry. He must decide whether to keep his secret or to use it to help the people of his town. The novel explores themes of identity, race, and class in America during the 1940s. It is a powerful and thought-provoking story about the power of secrets and the consequences of revealing them.

By Sinclair Lewis · First published 1947 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama · 54 chapters · 116,240 words

First lines

Mr. Blingham, and may he fry in his own cooking-oil, was assistant treasurer of the Flaver-Saver Company. He was driving from New York to Winnipeg, accompanied by Mrs. Blingham and their horrible daughter. As they were New Yorkers, only a business trip could have dragged them into this wilderness, and they found everything west of Pennsylvania contemptible. They laughed at Chicago for daring to have skyscrapers and at Madison for pretending to have a university, and they stopped the car and shrieked when they entered Minnesota and saw a billboard advertising "Ten Thousand Lakes."

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Kingsblood Royal is listed on Textopian as a novel by Sinclair Lewis, dated 1947 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Sinclair Lewis
Date: 1947 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama, Romance
Length: 116,240 words
Structure: 54 chapters, 2,601 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The novel is set in the 1940s and follows the story of Neil Kingsblood, a banker who discovers he is of African descent and is forced to confront the racism of the time.
Social Commentary — The novel is a critique of racism in the United States and examines the effects of prejudice on individuals and society.
Drama — The novel follows Neil's journey as he struggles to come to terms with his identity and the racism he faces, creating a dramatic narrative.
Romance — The novel follows Neil's relationship with his wife, who is supportive of his journey, and his relationship with his daughter, who is struggling to understand her father's identity.